1902-S VAM-1

Description

The VAM-1 designation represents the normal die baseline for the 1902-S Morgan dollar, classified as 1 III2 1 - C4a in the Van Allen-Mallis system. Every date and mint combination in the Morgan series receives a VAM-1 entry to establish the standard die characteristics against which all other varieties are measured. This die pairing features a closed 9 in the date, with the base of the 2 sometimes appearing filled on certain specimens due to die wear or grease. The mint mark is a large V S style, centered and upright beneath the eagle's tail feathers. San Francisco produced only 1,530,000 Morgan dollars in 1902, one of the lower mintages in the later years of the series, making even the normal die issue a date that commands attention from collectors. The C4 reverse type refers to a specific configuration of the eagle's tail feathers. Understanding the VAM-1 baseline is essential for variety collectors, as deviations in date position, mint mark placement, or die cracks define subsequent VAM numbers.

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